The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 1

1   Love justice, you that are the judges of the earth.  Think
    of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in simplicity of
    heart.
2   For he is found by them that tempt him not:  and he
    sheweth himself to them that have faith in him.
3   For perverse thoughts seperate from God:  and his power,
    when it is tried, reproveth the unwise:
4   For wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell
    in a body subject to sins.
5   For the Holy Spirit of discipline will flee from the
    deceitful, and will withdraw himself from thoughts that
    are without understanding, and he shall not abide when
    iniquity cometh in.
6   For the spirit of wisdom is benevolent, and will not
    acquit the evil speaker from his lips:  for God is witness
    of his reins, and he is a true searcher of his heart, and
    a hearer of his tongue.
7   For the spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world: 
    and that, which containeth all things, hath knowledge of
    the voice.
8   Therefore he that speaketh unjust things cannot be hid,
    neither shall the chastising judgment pass him by.
9   For inquisition shall be made into the thoughts of the
    ungodly:  and the hearing of his words shall come to God,
    to the chastising of his iniquities.
10  For the ear of jealousy heareth all things, and the tumult
    of murmuring shall not be hid.
11  Keep yourselves therefore from murmuring, which profiteth
    nothing, and refrain your tongue from detraction, for an
    obscure speech shall not go for nought:  and the mouth
    that belieth, killeth the soul.
12  Seek not death in the error of your life, neither procure
    ye destruction by the works of your hands.
13  For God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the
    destruction of the living.
14  For he created all things that they might be:  and he made
    the nations of the earth for health:  and there is no
    poison of destruction in them, nor kingdom of hell upon
    the earth.
15  For justice is perpetual and immortal.
16  But the wicked with works and words have called it to
    them:  and esteeming it a friend have fallen away, and
    have made a covenant with it: because they are worthy to
    be of the part thereof.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 2

1   For they have said, reasoning with themselves, but not
    right:  The time of our life is short and tedious, and in
    the end of a man there is no remedy, and no man hath been
    known to have returned from hell:
2   For we are born of nothing, and after this we shall be as
    if we had not been:  for the breath in our nostrils is
    smoke:  and speech a spark to move our heart,
3   Which being put out, our body shall be ashes, and our
    spirit shall be poured abroad as soft air, and our life
    shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be
    dispersed as a mist, which is driven away by the beams of
    the sun, and overpowered with the heat thereof:
4   And our name in time shall be forgotten, and no man shall
    have any remembrance of our works.
5   For our time is as the passing of a shadow, and there is
    no going back of our end:  for it is fast sealed, and no
    man returneth.
6   Come therefore, and let us enjoy the good things that are
    present, and let us speedily use the creatures as in
    youth.
7   Let us fill ourselves with costly wine, and ointments: 
    and let not the flower of the time pass by us.
8   Let us crown ourselves with roses, before they be
    withered:  let no meadow escape our riot.
9   Let none of us go without his part in luxury:  let us
    everywhere leave tokens of joy:  for this is our portion,
    and this our lot.
10  Let us oppress the poor just man, and not spare the widow,
    nor honour the ancient grey hairs of the aged.
11  But let our strength be the law of justice:  for that
    which is feeble, is found to be nothing worth.
12  Let us therefore lie in wait for the just, because he is
    not for our turn, and he is contrary to our doings, and
    upbraideth us with transgressions of the law, and
    divulgeth against us the sins of our way of life.
13  He boasteth that he hath the knowledge of God, and calleth
    himself the son of God.
14  He is become a censurer of our thoughts.
15  He is grievous unto us, even to behold:  for his life is
    not like other men's, and his ways are very different.
16  We are esteemed by him as triflers, and he abstaineth from
    our ways as from filthiness, and he preferreth the latter
    end of the just, and glorieth that he hath God for his
    father.
17  Let us see then if his words be true, and let us prove
    what shall happen to him, and we shall know what his end
    shall be.
18  For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, and
    will deliver him from the hands of his enemies.
19  Let us examine him by outrages and tortures, that we may
    know his meekness and try his patience.
20  Let us condemn him to a most shameful death:  for there
    shall be respect had unto him by his words.
21  These things they thought, and were deceived:  for their
    own malice blinded them.
22  And they knew not the secrets of God, nor hoped for the
    wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls.
23  For God created man incorruptible, and to the image of his
    own likeness he made him.
24  But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world:
25  And they follow him that are of his side.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 3

1   But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the
    torment of death shall not touch them.
2   In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die:  and their
    departure was taken for misery:
3   And their going away from us, for utter destruction:  but
    they are in peace.
4   And though in the sight of men they suffered torments,
    their hope is full of immortality.
5   Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well
    rewarded:  because God hath tried them, and found them
    worthy of himself.
6   As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a
    victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time
    there shall be respect had to them.
7   The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks
    among the reeds.
8   They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their
    Lord shall reign for ever.
9   They that trust in him, shall understand the truth:  and
    they that are faithful in love shall rest in him:  for
    grace and peace is to his elect.
10  But the wicked shall be punished according to their own
    devices:  who have neglected the just, and have revolted
    from the Lord.
11  For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: 
    and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit,
    and their works unprofitable.
12  Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked.
13  Their offspring is cursed:  for happy is the barren:  and
    the undefiled, that hath not known bed in sin:  she shall
    have fruit in the visitation of holy souls.
14  And the eunuch, that hath not wrought iniquity with his
    hands, nor thought wicked things against God:  for the
    precious gift of faith shall be given to him, and a most
    acceptable lot in the temple of God.
15  For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of
    wisdom never faileth.
16  But the children of adulterers shall not come to
    perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be
    rooted out.
17  And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and
    their last old age shall be without honour.
18  And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor
    speech of comfort in the day of trial.
19  For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race.

               The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 4

1   O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory:  for
    the memory thereof is immortal:  because it is known both
    with God and with men.
2   When it is present, they imitate it:  and they desire it
    when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned
    for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.
3   But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive,
    and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast
    foundation.
4   And if they flourish in branches for a time, yet standing
    not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through
    the force of winds they shall be rooted out.
5   For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and
    their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and
    fit for nothing.
6   For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are
    witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their
    trial.
7   But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be
    in rest.
8   For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor
    counted by the number of years:  but the understanding of
    a man is grey hairs.
9   And a spotless life is old age.
10  He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners
    he was translated.
11  He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his
    understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.
12  For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and
    the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent
    mind.
13  Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long
    time:
14  For his soul pleased God:  therefore he hastened to bring
    him out of the midst of iniquities:  but the people see
    this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their
    hearts:
15  That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints,
    and that he hath respect to his chosen.
16  But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are
    living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.
17  For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not
    understand what God hath designed for him, and why the
    Lord hath set him in safety.
18  They shall see him, and shall despise him:  but the Lord
    shall laugh them to scorn.
19  And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a
    reproach among the dead for ever:  for he shall burst them
    puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the
    foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste:  they
    shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish.
20  They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins,
    and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict
    them.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 5

1   Then shall the just stand with great constancy against
    those that have afflicted them, and taken away their
    labours.
2   These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and
    shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected
    salvation.
3   Saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for
    anguish of spirit:  These are they, whom we had some time
    in derision, and for a parable of reproach.
4   We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end
    without honour.
5   Behold how they are numbered among the children of God,
    and their lot is among the saints.
6   Therefore we have erred from the way of truth, and the
    light of justice hath not shined unto us, and the sun of
    understanding hath not risen upon us.
7   We wearied ourselves in the way of iniquity and
    destruction, and have walked through hard ways, but the
    way of the Lord we have not known.
8   What hath pride profited us?  or what advantage hath the
    boasting of riches brought us?
9   All those things are passed away like a shadow, and like
    a post that runneth on,
10  And as a ship that passeth through the waves:  whereof
    when it is gone by, the trace cannot be found, nor the
    path of its keel in the waters:
11  Or as when a bird flieth through the air, of the passage
    of which no mark can be found, but only the sound of the
    wings beating the light air, and parting it by the force
    of her flight; she moved her wings, and hath flown
    through, and there is no mark found afterwards of her way:
12  Or as when an arrow is shot at a mark, the divided air
    presently cometh together again, so that the passage
    thereof is not known:
13  So we also being born, forthwith ceased to be:  and have
    been able to shew no mark of virtue:  but are consumed in
    our wickedness.
14  Such things as these the sinners said in hell:
15  For the hope of the wicked is as dust, which is blown away
    with the wind, and as a thin froth which is dispersed by
    the storm:  and a smoke that is scattered abroad by the
    wind:  and as the remembrance of a guest of one day that
    passeth by.
16  But the just shall live for evermore:  and their reward is
    with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High.
17  Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a
    crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord:  for with his
    right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he
    will defend them.
18  And his zeal will take armour, and he will arm the
    creature for the revenge of his enemies.
19  He will put on justice as a breastplate, and will take
    true judgment instead of a helmet.
20  He will take equity for an invincible shield:
21  And he will sharpen his severe wrath for a spear, and the
    whole world shall fight with him against the unwise.
22  Then shafts of lightning shall go directly from the
    clouds, as from a bow well bent, they shall be shot out,
    and shall fly to the mark.
23  And thick hail shall be cast upon them from the stone
    casting wrath: the water of the sea shall rage against
    them, and the rivers shall run together in a terrible
    manner.
24  A mighty wind shall stand up against them, and as a
    whirlwind shall divide them:  and their iniquity shall
    bring all the earth to a desert, and wickedness shall
    overthrow the thrones of the mighty.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 6

1   Wisdom is better than strength, and a wise man is better
    than a strong man.
2   Hear therefore, ye kings, and understand:  learn, ye that
    are judges of the ends of the earth.
3   Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please
    yourselves in multitudes of nations:
4   For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the
    most High, who will examine your works, and search out
    your thoughts:
5   Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not
    judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked
    according to the will of God.
6   Horribly and speedily will he appear to you:  for a most
    severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.
7   For to him that is little, mercy is granted:  but the
    mighty shall be mightily tormented.
8   For God will not except any man's person, neither will he
    stand in awe of any man's greatness:  for he made the
    little and the great, and he hath equally care of all.
9   But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.
10  To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you
    may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.
11  For they that have kept just things justly, shall be
    justified:  and they that have learned these things, shall
    find what to answer.
12  Covet ye therefore my words, and love them, and you shall
    have instruction.
13  Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily
    seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek
    her.
14  She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first
    sheweth herself unto them.
15  He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour:  for
    he shall find her sitting at his door.
16  To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: 
    and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
17  For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and
    she sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and
    meeteth them with all providence.
18  For the beginning of her is the most true desire of
    discipline.
19  And the care of discipline is love:  and love is the
    keeping of her laws:  and the keeping of her laws is the
    firm foundation of incorruption:
20  And incorruption bringeth near to God.
21  Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting
    kingdom.
22  If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye
    kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for
    ever.
23  Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over
    peoples.
24  Now what wisdom is, and what was her origin, I will
    declare:  and I will not hide from you the mysteries of
    God, but will seek her out from the beginning of her
    birth, and bring the knowledge of her to light, and will
    not pass over the truth:
25  Neither will I go with consuming envy:  for such a man
    shall not be partaker of wisdom.
26  Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole
    world:  and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
27  Receive therefore instruction by my words, and it shall be
    profitable to you.

               The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 7

1   I myself also am a mortal man, like all others, and of the
    race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the
    womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh.
2   In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the
    seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.
3   And being born I drew in the common air, and fell upon the
    earth, that is made alike, and the first voice which I
    uttered was crying, as all others do.
4   I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares.
5   For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.
6   For all men have one entrance into life, and the like
    going out.
7   Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me:  and
    I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:
8   And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and
    esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
9   Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone:  for
    all gold in comparison of her, is as a little sand, and
    silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay.
10  I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her
    instead of light:  for her light cannot be put out.
11  Now all good things came to me together with her, and
    innumerable riches through her hands,
12  And I rejoiced in all these:  for this wisdom went before
    me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all.
13  Which I have learned without guile, and communicate
    without envy, and her riches I hide not.
14  For she is an infinite treasure to men!  which they that
    use, become the friends of God, being commended for the
    gift of discipline.
15  And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to
    conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given
    me:  because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director
    of the wise:
16  For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all
    wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.
17  For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that
    are:  to know the disposition of the whole world, and the
    virtues of the elements,
18  The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the
    alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,
19  The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the
    stars,
20  The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts,
    the force of winds, and reasonings of men, the diversities
    of plants, and the virtues of roots,
21  And all such things as are hid and not foreseen, I have
    learned:  for wisdom, which is the worker of all things,
    taught me.
22  For in her is the spirit of understanding:  holy, one,
    manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure,
    sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing
    hindereth, beneficent,
23  Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all
    power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits,
    intelligible, pure, subtile.
24  For wisdom is more active than all active things:  and
    reacheth everywhere by reason of her purity.
25  For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain
    pure emanation of the glory of the almighty God:  and
    therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.
26  For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the
    unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his
    goodness.
27  And being but one, she can do all things:  and remaining
    in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through
    nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the
    friends of God and prophets.
28  For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
29  For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the
    order of the stars:  being compared with the light, she is
    found before it.
30  For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome
    wisdom.

               The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 8

1   She reacheth therefore from end to end mightily, and
    ordereth all things sweetly.
2   Her have I loved, and have sought her out from my youth,
    and have desired to take her for my spouse, and I became
    a lover of her beauty.
3   She glorifieth her nobility by being conversant with God: 
    yea and the Lord of all things hath loved her.
4   For it is she that teacheth the knowledge of God, and is
    the chooser of his works.
5   And if riches be desired in life, what is richer than
    wisdom, which maketh all things?
6   And if sense do work:  who is a more artful worker than
    she of those things that are?
7   And if a man love justice:  her labours have great
    virtues; for she teacheth temperance, and prudence, anad
    justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can
    have nothing more profitable in life.
8   And if a man desire much knowledge:  she knoweth things
    past, and judgeth of things to come:  she knoweth the
    subtilties of speeches, and the solutions of arguments: 
    she knoweth signs and wonders before they be done, and the
    events of times and ages.
9   I purposed therefore to take her to me to live with me: 
    knowing that she will communicate to me of her good
    things, and will be a comfort in my cares and grief.
10  For her sake I shall have glory among the multitude, and
    honour with the ancients, though I be young:
11  And I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and
    shall be admired in the sight of the mighty, and the faces
    of princes shall wonder at me.
12  They shall wait for me when I hold my peace, and they
    shall look upon me when I speak, and if I talk much they
    shall lay their hands on their mouths.
13  Moreover by the means of her I shall have immortality: 
    and shall leave behind me an everlasting memory to them
    that come after me.
14  I shall set the people in order:  and nations shall be
    subject to me.
15  Terrible kings hearing shall be afraid of me:  among the
    multitude I shall be found good, and valiant in war.
16  When I go into my house, I shall repose myself with her: 
    for her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company
    any tediousness, but joy and gladness.
17  Thinking these things with myself, and pondering them in
    my heart, that to be allied to wisdom is immortality,
18  And that there is great delight in her friendship, and
    inexhaustible riches in the works of her hands, and in the
    exercise of conference with her, wisdom, and glory in the
    communication of her words:  I went about seeking, that I
    might take her to myself.
19  And I was a witty child and had received a good soul.
20  And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled.
21  And as I knew that I could not otherwise be continent,
    except God gave it, and this also was a point of wisdom,
    to know whose gift it was:  I went to the Lord, and
    besought him, and said with my whole heart:
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 9

1   God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all
    things with thy word,
2   And by thy wisdom hast appointed man, that he should have
    dominion over the creature that was made by thee,
3   That he should order the world according to equity and
    justice, and execute justice with an upright heart:
4   Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne, and cast me
    not off from among thy children:
5   For I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid, a weak
    man, and of short time, and falling short of the
    understanding of judgment and laws.
6   For if one be perfect among the children of men, yet if
    thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.
7   Thou hast chosen me to be king of thy people, and a judge
    of thy sons and daughters.
8   And hast commanded me to build a temple on thy holy mount,
    and an altar in the city of thy dwelling place, a
    resemblance of thy holy tabernacle, which thou hast
    prepared from the beginning:
9   And thy wisdom with thee, which knoweth thy works, which
    then also was present when thou madest the world, and knew
    what was agreeable to thy eyes, and what was right in thy
    commandments.
10  Send her out of thy holy heaven, and from the throne of
    thy majesty, that she may be with me, and may labour with
    me, that I may know what is acceptable with thee:
11  For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and shall
    lead me soberly in my works, and shall preserve me by her
    power.
12  So shall my works be acceptable, and I shall govern thy
    people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne of my
    father.
13  For who among men is he that can know the counsel of God? 
    or who can think what the will of God is?
14  For the thoughts of mortal men are fearful, and our
    counsels uncertain.
15  For the corruptible body is a load upon the soul, and the
    earthly habitation presseth down the mind that museth upon
    many things.
16  And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon
    earth:  and with labour do we find the things that are
    before us.  But the things that are in heaven, who shall
    search out?
17  And who shall know thy thought, except thou give wisdom,
    and send thy Holy Spirit from above:
18  And so the ways of them that are upon earth may be
    corrected, and men may learn the things that please thee?
19  For by wisdom they were healed, whosoever have pleased
    thee, O Lord, from the beginning.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 10

1   She preseved him, that was first formed by God the father
    of the world, when he was created alone,
2   And she brought him out of his sin, and gave him power to
    govern all things.
3   But when the unjust went away from her in his anger, he
    perished by the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.
4   For whose cause, when water destroyed the earth, wisdom
    healed it again, directing the course of the just by
    contemptible wood.
5   Moreover when the nations had conspired together to
    consent to wickedness, she knew the just, and preserved
    him without blame to God, and kept him strong against the
    compassion for his son.
6   She delivered the just man who fled from the wicked that
    were perishing, when the fire came down upon Pentapolis:
7   Whose land for a testimony of their wickedness is
    desolate, and smoketh to this day, and the trees bear
    fruits that ripen not, and a standing pillar of salt is a
    monument of an incredulous soul.
8   For regarding not wisdom, they did not only slip in this,
    that they were ignorant of good things, but they left also
    unto men a memorial of their folly, so that in the things
    in which they sinned, they could not so much as lie hid.
9   But wisdom hath delivered from sorrow them that attend
    upon her.
10  She conducted the just, when he fled from his brother's
    wrath, through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom
    of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things,
    made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his
    labours.
11  In the deceit of them that overreached him, she stood by
    him, and made him honourable.
12  She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him
    from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he
    might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all.
13  She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered
    him from sinners:  she went down with him into the pit.
14  And in bands she left him not, till she brought him the
    sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that
    oppressed him:  and shewed them to be liars that had
    accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.
15  She delivered the just people, and blameless seed from the
    nations that oppressed them.
16  She entered into the soul of the servant of God, and stood
    against dreadful kings in wonders and signs.
17  And she rendered to the just the wages of their labours,
    and conducted them in a wonderful way:  and she was to
    them for a covert by day, and for the light of stars by
    night:
18  And she brought them through the Red Sea, and carried them
    over through a great water.
19  But their enemies she drowned in the sea, and from the
    depth of hell she brought them out.  Therefore the just
    took the spoils of the wicked.
20  And they sung to thy holy name, O Lord, and they praised
    with one accord thy victorious hand.
21  For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the
    tongues of infants eloquent.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 11

1   She prospered their works in the hands of the holy
    prophet.
2   They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited,
    and in desert places they pitched their tents.
3   They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves
    of their adversaries.
4   They were thirsty, and they called upon thee, and water
    was given them out of the high rock, and a refreshment of
    their thirst out of the hard stone.
5   For by what things their enemies were punished, when their
    drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded
    therewith and rejoiced:
6   By the same things they in their need were benefited.
7   For instead of a fountain of an ever running river, thou
    gavest human blood to the unjust.
8   And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of
    their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant
    water unlooked for:
9   Shewing by the thirst that was then, how thou didst exalt
    thine, and didst kill their adversaries.
10  For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they
    knew how the wicked were judged with wrath and tormented.
11  For thou didst admonish and try them as a father:  but the
    others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.
12  For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike.
13  For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for
    the remembrance of things past.
14  For when they heard that by their punishments the others
    were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the
    end of what was come to pass.
15  For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at
    the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they
    admired in the end, when they saw the event:  their
    thirsting being unlike to that of the just.
16  But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because
    some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless
    beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb
    beasts for vengeance.
17  That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by
    the same also he is tormented.
18  For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter
    without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude
    of bears, or fierce lions,
19  Or unknown beasts of a new kind, full of rage:  either
    breathing out a fiery vapour, or sending forth a stinking
    smoke, or shooting horrible sparks out of their eyes:
20  Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them,
    but also the very sight might kill them through fear.
21  Yea and without these, they might have been slain with one
    blast, persecuted by their own deeds, and scattered by the
    breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in
    measure, and number, and weight.
22  For great power always belonged to thee alone:  and who
    shall resist the strength of thy arm?
23  For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of
    the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that
    falleth down upon the earth:
24  But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all
    things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of
    repentance.
25  For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of
    the things which thou hast made:  for thou didst not
    appoint, or make any thing hating it.
26  And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not?  or
    be preserved, if not called by thee.
27  But thou sparest all:  because they are thine, O Lord, who
    lovest souls.
   

            The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 12

1   O how good and sweet is thy spirit, O Lord, in all things!
2   And therefore thou chastisest them that err, by little and
    little: and admonishest them, and speakest to them,
    concerning the things wherein they offend:  that leaving
    their wickedness, they may believe in thee, O Lord.
3   For those ancient inhabitants of thy holy land, whom thou
    didst abhor,
4   Because they did works hateful to thee by their sorceries,
    and wicked sacrifices,
5   And those merciless murderers of their own children, and
    eaters of men's bowels, and devourers of blood from the
    midst of thy consecration,
6   And those parents sacrificing with their own hands
    helpless souls, it was thy will to destroy by the hands of
    our parents,
7   That the land which of all is most dear to thee might
    receive a worthy colony of the children of God.
8   Yet even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps,
    forerunners of thy host, to destroy them by little and
    little.
9   Not that thou wast unable to bring the wicked under the
    just by war, or by cruel beasts, or with one rough word to
    destroy them at once:
10  But executing thy judgments by degrees thou gavest them
    place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a
    wicked generation, and their malice natural, and that
    their thought could never be changed.
11  For it was a cursed seed from the beginning:  neither
    didst thou for fear of any one give pardon to their sins.
12  For who shall say to thee:  What hast thou done?  or who
    shall withstand thy judgment?  or who shall come before
    thee to be a revenger of wicked men?  or who shall accuse
    thee, if the nations perish, which thou hast made?
13  For there is no other God but thou, who hast care of all,
    that thou shouldst shew that thou dost not give judgment
    unjustly.
14  Neither shall king, nor tyrant in thy sight inquire about
    them whom thou hast destroyed.
15  For so much then as thou art just, thou orderest all
    things justly:  thinking it not agreeable to thy power, to
    condemn him who deserveth not to be punished.
16  For thy power is the beginning of justice:  and because
    thou art Lord of all, thou makest thyself gracious to all.
17  For thou shewest thy power, when men will not believe thee
    to be absolute in power, and thou convincest the boldness
    of them that know thee not.
18  But thou being master of power, judgest with tranquillity;
    and with great favour disposest of us:  for thy power is
    at hand when thou wilt.
19  But thou hast taught thy people by such works, that they
    must be just and humane, and hast made thy children to be
    of a good hope: because in judging thou givest place for
    repentance for sins.
20  For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy servants, and
    that deserved to die, with so great deliberation, giving
    them time and place whereby they might be changed from
    their wickedness:
21  With what circumspection hast thou judged thy own
    children, to whose parents thou hast sworn and made
    covenants of good promises?
22  Therefore whereas thou chastisest us, thou scourgest our
    enemies very many ways, to the end that when we judge we
    may think on thy goodness:  and when we are judged, we may
    hope for thy mercy.
23  Wherefore thou hast also greatly tormented them who in
    their life have lived foolishly and unjustly, by the same
    things which they worshipped.
24  For they went astray for a long time in the ways of error,
    holding those things for gods which are the most worthless
    among beasts, living after the manner of children without
    understanding.
25  Therefore thou hast sent a judgment upon them as senseless
    children to mock them.
26  But they that were not amended by mockeries and
    reprehensions, experienced the worthy judgment of God.
27  For seeing with indignation that they suffered by those
    very things which they took for gods, when they were
    destroyed by the same, they acknowledged him the true God,
    whom in time past they denied that they knew:  for which
    cause the end also of their condemnation came upon them.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 13

1   But all men are vain, in whom there is not the knowledge
    of God: and who by these good things that are seen, could
    not understand him that is, neither by attending to the
    works have acknowledged who was the workman:
2   But have imagined either the fire, or the wind, or the
    swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the great water,
    or the sun and moon, to be the gods that rule the world.
3   With whose beauty, if they, being delighted, took them to
    be gods: let them know how much the Lord of them is more
    beautiful than they:  for the first author of beauty made
    all those things.
4   Or if they admired their power and their effects, let them
    understand by them, that he that made them, is mightier
    than they:
5   For by the greatness of the beauty, and of the creature,
    the creator of them may be seen, so as to be known
    thereby.
6   But yet as to these they are less to be blamed.  For they
    perhaps err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.
7   For being conversant among his works, they search:  and
    they are persuaded that the things are good which are
    seen.
8   But then again they are not to be pardoned.
9   For if they were able to know so much as to make a
    judgment of the world:  how did they not more easily find
    out the Lord thereof?
10  But unhappy are they, and their hope is among the dead,
    who have called gods the works of the hands of men, gold
    and silver, the inventions of art, and the resemblances of
    beasts, or an unprofitable stone the work of an ancient
    hand.
11  Or if an artist, a carpenter, hath cut down a tree proper
    for his use in the wood, and skilfully taken off all the
    bark thereof, and with his art, diligently formeth a
    vessel profitable for the common uses of life,
12  And useth the chips of his work to dress his meat:
13  And taking what was left thereof, which is good for
    nothing, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots,
    carveth it diligently when he hath nothing else to do, and
    by the skill of his art fashioneth it and maketh it like
    the image of a man:
14  Or the resemblance of some beast, laying it over with
    vermillion, and painting it red, and covering every spot
    that is in it:
15  And maketh a convenient dwelling place for it, and setting
    it in a wall, and fastening it with iron,
16  Providing for it, lest it should fall, knowing that it is
    unable to help itself:  for it is an image, and hath need
    of help.
17  And then maketh prayer to it, inquiring concerning his
    substance, and his children, or his marriage.  And he is
    not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life:
18  And for health he maketh suspplication to the weak, and
    for life prayeth to that which is dead, and for help
    calleth upon that which is unprofitable:
19  And for a good journey he petitioneth him that cannot
    walk:  and for getting, and for working, and for the event
    of all things he asketh him that is unable to do any
    thing.
  

             The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 14

1   Again, another designing to sail, and beginning to make
    his voyage through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece
    of wood more frail than the wood that carrieth him.
2   For this the desire of gain devised, and the workman built
    it by his skill.
3   But thy providence, O Father, governeth it:  for thou hast
    made a way even in the sea, and a most sure path among the
    waves,
4   Shewing that thou art able to save out of all things, yea
    though a man went to sea without art.
5   But that the works of thy wisdom might not be idle: 
    therefore men also trust their lives even to a little
    wood, and passing over the sea by ship are saved.
6   And from the beginning also when the proud giants
    perished, the hope of the world fleeing to a vessel, which
    was governed by thy hand, left to the world seed of
    generation.
7   For blessed is the wood, by which justice cometh.
8   But the idol that is made by hands, is cursed, as well it,
    as he that made it:  he because he made it; and it because
    being frail it is called a god.
9   But to God the wicked and his wickedness are hateful
    alike.
10  For that which is made, together with him that made it,
    shall suffer torments.
11  Therefore there shall be no respect had even to the idols
    of the Gentiles:  because the creatures of God are turned
    to an abomination, and a temptation to the souls of men,
    and a snare to the feet of the unwise.
12  For the beginning of fornication is the devising of idols: 
    and the invention of them is the corruption of life.
13  For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall
    they be for ever.
14  For by the vanity of men they came into the world:  and
    therefore they shall be found to come shortly to an end.
15  For a father being afflicted with bitter grief, made to
    himself the image of his son who was quickly taken away: 
    and him who then had died as a man, he began now to
    worship as a god, and appointed him rites and sacrifices
    among his servants.
16  Then in process of time, wicked custom prevailing, this
    error was kept as a law, and statues were worshipped by
    the commandment of tyrants.
17  And those whom men could not honour in presence, because
    they dwelt far off, they brought their resemblance from
    afar, and made an express image of the king whom they had
    a mind to honour:  that by this their diligence, they
    might honour as present, him that was absent.
18  And to worshipping of these, the singular diligence also
    of the artificer helped to set forward the ignorant.
19  For he being willing to please him that employed him,
    laboured with all his art to make the resemblance in the
    best manner.
20  And the multitude of men, carried away by the beauty of
    the work, took him now for a god that a little before was
    but honoured as a man.
21  And this was the occasion of deceiving human life:  for
    men serving either their affection, or their kings, gave
    the incommunicable name to stones and wood.
22  And it was not enough for them to err about the knowledge
    of God, but whereas they lived in a great war of
    ignorance, they call so many and so great evils peace.
23  For either they sacrifice their own children, or use
    hidden sacrifices, or keep watches full of madness,
24  So that now they neither keep life, nor marriage
    undefiled, but one killeth another through envy, or
    grieveth him by adultery:
25  And all things are mingled together, blood, murder, theft
    and dissimulation, corruption and unfaithfulness, tumults
    and perjury, disquieting of the good,
26  Forgetfulness of God, defiling of souls, changing of
    nature, disorder in marriage, and the irregularity of
    adultery and uncleaness.
27  For the worship of abominable idols is the cause, and the
    beginning and end of all evil.
28  For either they are mad when they are merry:  or they
    prophesy lies, or they live unjustly, or easily forswear
    themselves.
29  For whilst they trust in idols, which are without life,
    though they swear amiss, they look not to be hurt.
30  But for two things they shall be justly punished, because
    they have thought not well of God, giving heed to idols,
    and have sworn unjustly, in guile despising justice.
31  For it is not the power of them, by whom they swear, but
    the just vengeance of sinners always punisheth the
    transgression of the unjust.
  

             The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 15

1   But thou, our God, art gracious and true, patient, and
    ordering all things in mercy.
2   For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy greatness:  and
    if we sin not, we know that we are counted with thee.
3   For to know thee is perfect justice:  and to know thy
    justice, and thy power, is the root of immortality.
4   For the invention of mischievous men hath not deceived us,
    nor the shadow of a picture, a fruitless labour, a graven
    figure with divers colours,
5   The sight whereof enticeth the fool to lust after it, and
    he loveth the lifeless figure of a dead image.
6   The lovers of evil things deserve to have no better things
    to trust in, both they that make them, and they that love
    them,and they that worship them.
7   The potter also tempering soft earth, with labour
    fashioneth every vessel for our service, and of the same
    clay he maketh both vessels that are for clean uses, and
    likewise such as serve to the contrary:  but what is the
    use of these vessels, the potter is the judge.
8   And of the same clay by a vain labour he maketh a god:  he
    who a little before was made of earth himself, and a
    little after returneth to the same out of which he was
    taken, when his life which was lent him shall be called
    for again.
9   But his care is, not that he shall labour, nor that his
    life is short, but he striveth with the goldsmiths and
    silversmiths:  and he endeavoureth to do like the workers
    in brass, and counteth it a glory to make vain things.
10  For his heart is ashes, and his hope vain earth, and his
    life more base than clay:
11  Forasmuch as he knew not his maker and him that inspired
    into him the soul that worketh, and that breathed into him
    a living spirit.
12  Yea and they have counted our life a pastime, and the
    business of life to be gain, and that we must be getting
    every way, even out of evil.
13  For that man knoweth that he offendeth above all others,
    who of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels, and graven
    gods.
14  But all the enemies of thy people that hold them in
    subjection, are foolish, and unhappy, and proud beyond
    measure:
15  For they have esteemed all the idols of the heathens for
    gods, which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses
    to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to
    handle, and as for their feet, they are slow to walk.
16  For man made them:  and he that borroweth his own breath,
    fashioned them.  For no man can make a god like to
    himself.
17  For being mortal himself, he formeth a dead thing with his
    wicked hands.  For he is better than they whom he
    worshippeth, because he indeed hath lived, though he were
    mortal, but they never.
18  Moreover they worship also the vilest creatures:  but
    things without sense compared to these, are worse than
    they.
19  Yea, neither by sight can any man see good of these
    beasts.  But they have fled from the praise of God, and
    from his blessing.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 16

1   For these things, and by the like things to these, they
    were worthily punished, and were destroyed by a multitude
    of beasts.
2   Instead of which punishment, dealing well with thy people,
    thou gavest them their desire of delicious food, of a new
    taste, preparing for them quails for their meat:
3   To the end that they indeed desiring food, by means of
    those things that were shewn and sent among them, might
    loathe even that which was necessary to satisfy their
    desire.  But these, after suffering want for a short time,
    tasted a new meat.
4   For it was requisite that inevitable destruction should
    come upon them that exercised tyranny:  but to these it
    should only be shewn how their enemies were destroyed.
5   For when the fierce rage of beasts came upon these, they
    were destroyed with the bitings of crooked serpents.
6   But thy wrath endured not for ever, but they were troubled
    for a short time for their correction, having a sign of
    salvation to put them in remembrance of the commandment of
    thy law.
7   For he that turned to it, was not healed by that which he
    saw, but by thee the Saviour of all.
8   And in this thou didst shew to our enemies, that thou art
    he who deliverest from all evil.
9   For the bitings of locusts, and of flies killed them, and
    there was found no remedy for their life:  because they
    were worthy to be destroyed by such things.
10  But not even the teeth of venomous serpents overcame thy
    children: for thy mercy came and healed them.
11  For they were examined for the remembrance of thy words,
    and were quickly healed, lest falling into deep
    forgetfulness, they might not be able to use thy help.
12  For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster that
    healed them, but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all
    things.
13  For it is thou, O Lord, that hast power of life and death,
    and leadest down to the gates of death, and bringest back
    again:
14  A man indeed killeth through malice, and when the spirit
    is gone forth, it shall not return, neither shall he call
    back the soul that is received:
15  But it is impossible to escape thy hand.
16  For the wicked that denied to know thee, were scourged by
    the strength of thy arm, being persecuted by strange
    waters, and hail, and rain, and consumed by fire.
17  And which was wonderful, in water, which extinguisheth all
    things, the fire had more force:  for the world fighteth
    for the just.
18  For at one time, the fire was mitigated, that the beasts
    which were sent against the wicked might not be burned,
    but that they might see and perceive that they were
    persecuted by the judgment of God.
19  And at another time the fire, above its own power, burned
    in the midst of water, to destroy the fruits of a wicked
    land.
20  Instead of which things thou didst feed thy people with
    the food of angels, and gavest them bread from heaven
    prepared without labour; having in it all that is
    delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.
21  For thy sustenance shewed thy sweetness to thy children,
    and serving every man's will, it was turned to what every
    man liked.
22  But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted
    not:  that they might know that fire burning in the hail
    and flashing in the rain destroyed the fruits of the
    enemies.
23  But this same again, that the just might be nourished, did
    even forget its own strength.
24  For the creature serving thee the Creator, is made fierce
    against the unjust for their punishment; and abateth its
    strength for the benefit of them that trust in thee.
25  Therefore even then it was transformed into all things,
    and was obedient to thy grace that nourisheth all,
    according to the will of them that desired it of thee.
26  That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovedst, might know
    that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth men,
    but thy word preseveth them that believe in thee:
27  For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being
    warmed with a little sunbeam presently melted away:
28  That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent
    the sun to bless thee, and adore thee at the dawning of
    the light.
29  For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the
    winter's ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water.

               The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 17

1   For thy judgments, O Lord, are great, and thy words cannot
    be expressed:  therefore undisciplined souls have erred.
2   For while the wicked thought to be able to have dominion
    over the holy nation, they themselves being fettered with
    the bonds of darkness, and a long night, shut up in their
    houses, lay there exiled from the eternal providence.
3   And while they thought to lie hid in their obscure sins,
    they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness,
    being horribly afraid and troubled with exceeding great
    astonishment.
4   For neither did the den that held them, keep them from
    fear:  for noises coming down troubled them, and sad
    visions appearing to them, affrighted them.
5   And no power of fire could give them light, neither could
    the bright flames of the stars enlighten that horrible
    night.
6   But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: 
    and being struck with the fear of that face, which was not
    seen, they thought the things which they saw to be worse:
7   And the delusions of their magic art were put down, and
    their boasting of wisdom was reproachfully rebuked.
8   For they who promised to drive away fears and troubles
    from a sick soul, were sick themselves of a fear worthy to
    be laughed at.
9   For though no terrible thing disturbed them:  yet being
    scared with the passing by of beasts, and hissing of
    serpents, they died for fear: and denying that they saw
    the air, which could by no means be avoided.
10  For whereas wickedness is fearful, it beareth witness of
    its condemnation:  for a troubled conscience always
    forecasteth grievous things.
11  For fear is nothing else but a yielding up of the succours
    from thought.
12  And while there is less expectation from within, the
    greater doth it count the ignorance of that cause which
    bringeth the torment.
13  But they that during that night, in which nothing could be
    done, and which came upon them from the lowest and deepest
    hell, slept the same sleep.
14  Were sometimes molested with the fear of monsters,
    sometimes fainted away, their soul failing them:  for a
    sudden and unlooked for fear was come upon them.
15  Moreover if any of them had fallen down, he was kept shut
    up in prison without irons.
16  For if any one were a husbandman, or a shepherd, or a
    labourer in the field, and was suddenly overtaken, he
    endured a necessity from which he could not fly.
17  For they were all bound together with one chain of
    darkness. Whether it were a whistling wind, or the
    melodious voice of birds, among the spreading branches of
    trees, or a fall of water running down with violence,
18  Or the mighty noise of stones tumbling down, or the
    running that could not be seen of beasts playing together,
    or the roaring voice of wild beasts, or a rebounding echo
    from the highest mountains:  these things made them to
    swoon for fear.
19  For the whole world was enlightened with a clear light,
    and none were hindered in their labours.
20  But over them only was spread a heavy night, an image of
    that darkness which was to come upon them.  But they were
    to themselves more grievous than the darkness.
 

              The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 18

1   But thy saints had a very great light, and they heard
    their voice indeed, but did not see their shape.  And
    because they also did not suffer the same things, they
    glorified thee:
2   And they that before had been wronged, gave thanks,
    because they were not hurt now:  and asked this gift, that
    there might be a difference.
3   Therefore they received a burning pillar of fire for a
    guide of the way which they knew not, and thou gavest them
    a harmless sun of a good entertainment.
4   The others indeed were worthy to be deprived of light, and
    imprisoned in darkness, who kept thy children shut up, by
    whom the pure light of the law was to be given to the
    world.
5   And whereas they thought to kill the babes of the just,
    one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them,
    thou tookest away a multitude of their children, and
    destroyedst them all together in a mighty water.
6   For that night was known before by our fathers, that
    assuredly knowing what oaths they had trusted to, they
    might be of better courage.
7   So thy people received the salvation of the just, and
    destruction of the unjust.
8   For as thou didst punish the adversaries:  so thou didst
    also encourage and glorify us.
9   For the just children of good men were offering sacrifice
    secretly, and they unanimously ordered a law of justice: 
    that the just should receive both good and evil alike,
    singing now the praises of the fathers.
10  But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry
    of the enemies, and a lamentable mourning was heard for
    the children that were bewailed.
11  And the servant suffered the same punishment as the
    master, and a common man suffered in like manner as the
    king.
12  So all alike had innumerable dead, with one kind of death.
    Neither were the living sufficient to bury them; for in
    one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.
13  For whereas they would not believe any thing before by
    reason of the enchantments, then first upon the
    destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged the people
    to be of God.
14  For while all things were in quiet silence, and the night
    was in the midst of her course,
15  Thy almighty word leapt down from heaven from thy royal
    throne, as a fierce conqueror into the midst of the land
    of destruction.
16  With a sharp sword carrying thy unfeigned commandment, and
    he stood and filled all things with death, and standing on
    the earth reached even to heaven.
17  Then suddenly visions of evil dreams troubled them, and
    fears unlooked for came upon them.
18  And one thrown here, another there, half dead, shewed the
    cause of his death.
19  For the visions that troubled them foreshewed these
    things, lest they should perish and not know why they
    suffered these evils.
20  But the just also were afterwards touched by an assault of
    death, and there was a disturbance of the multitude in the
    wilderness:  but thy wrath did not long continue.
21  For a blameless man made haste to pray for the people,
    bringing forth the shield of his ministry, prayer, and by
    incense making supplication, withstood the wrath, and put
    an end to the calamity, shewing that he was thy servant.
22  And he overcame the disturbance, not by strength of body
    nor with force of arms, but with a word he subdued him
    that punished them, alleging the oaths and covenant made
    with the fathers.
23  For when they were now fallen down dead by heaps one upon
    another, he stood between and stayed the assault, and cut
    off the way to the living.
24  For in the priestly robe which he wore, was the whole
    world:  and in the four rows of the stones the glory of
    the fathers was graven, and thy majesty was written upon
    the diadem of his head.
25  And to these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of
    them:  for the proof only of wrath was enough.
              

        The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 19

1   But as to the wicked, even to the end there came upon them
    wrath without mercy.  For he knew before also what they
    would do:
2   For when they had given them leave to depart, and had sent
    them away with great care, they repented, and pursued
    after them.
3   For whilst they were yet mourning, and lamenting at the
    graves of the dead, they took up another foolish device: 
    and pursued them as fugitives whom they had pressed to be
    gone:
4   For a necessity, of which they were worthy, brought them
    to this end:  and they lost the remembrance of those
    things which had happened, that their punishment might
    fill up what was wanting to their torments:
5   And that thy people might wonderfully pass through, but
    they might find a new death.
6   For every creature according to its kind was fashioned
    again as from the beginning, obeying thy commandments,
    that thy children might be kept without hurt.
7   For a cloud overshadowed their camp, and where water was
    before, dry land appeared, and in the Red Sea a way
    without hinderance, and out of the great deep a springing
    field:
8   Through which all the nation passed which was protected
    with thy hand, seeing thy miracles and wonders.
9   For they fed on their food like horses, and they skipped
    like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered
    them.
10  For they were yet mindful of those things which had been
    done in the time of their sojourning, how the ground
    brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river
    cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.
11  And at length they saw a new generation of birds, when
    being led by their appetite they asked for delicate meats.
12  For to satisfy their desire, the quail came up to them
    from the sea:  and punishments came upon the sinners, not
    without foregoing signs by the force of thunders:  for
    they suffered justly according to their own wickedness.
13  For they exercised a more detestable inhospitality than
    any: others indeed received not strangers unknown to them,
    but these brought their guests into bondage that had
    deserved well of them.
14  And not only so, but in another respect also they were
    worse:  for the others against their will received the
    strangers.
15  But these grievously afflicted them whom they had received
    with joy, and who lived under the same laws.
16  But they were struck with blindness:  as those others were
    at the doors of the just man, when they were covered with
    sudden darkness, and every one sought the passage of his
    own door.
17  For while the elements are changed in themselves, as in an
    instrument the sound of the quality is changed, yet all
    keep their sound:  which may clearly be perceived by the
    very sight.
18  For the things of the land were turned into things of the
    water: and the things before swam in the water passed upon
    the land.
19  The fire had power in water above its own virtue, and the
    water forgot its quenching nature.
20  On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of
    corruptible animals walking therein, neither did they melt
    that good food, which was apt to melt as ice.  For in all
    things thou didst magnify thy people, O Lord, and didst
    honour them, and didst not despise them, but didst assist
    them at all times, and in every place.